Jake Jerome Named SJR's "Top Teen"
RHS Sophomore Breanna Talbert a Finalist
by Bill Lamkey
May 20, 2009
Riverton High School senior Jake Jerome has won The Voice’s Top Teen Award presented by The State Journal-Register.
Jake, 18, was presented with the award during a ceremony held at the newspaper’s building tonight.
Out of six finalists, Jake was chosen as the 2009 Top Teen for his work with the North County Teen Court, a peer jury system for juveniles in the Williamsville, Riverton and Sherman area; Big Brothers Big Sisters; organizing blood drives; and working as a tutor and mentor with students.
The
five runners-up for the Top Teen Award were:
+ Megan Broom, junior at Carlinville High School
+ Christina Renee Lash, freshman at Kincaid South Fork High
School
+ Ikeem Mattison, senior at Lanphier High School
+ Michael Paulsmeyer, junior at PORTA High School
+ Breanna Marie Joy Talbert, sophomore at Riverton High
School
In April, The Voice requested nominations for the award, which recognizes high school students in Springfield and nearby towns who are making a difference in their communities, families and schools.
After nominations were submitted, a committee of nine students from six high schools in the Sangamon County area chose the top six candidates out of 16 nominees.
In
addition to the award, Jake received free passes to Knight’s Action
Park courtesy of the amusement park, and a donation of $100 was
made in Jake’s name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Illinois
Capital Region.
A complete story on each of the students can be found in the May
20th SJR pullout section.
